Sunset Solar Eclipse On Oct. 23rd Could Be Out Of This World

Sunsets are always pretty.  One sunset this month could be out of this world. On Thursday, Oct. 23rd, the setting sun across eastern parts of the USA will be red, beautiful and … crescent-shaped. 

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/OH/OHfigures/OH2014-Fig04.pdf

The partial eclipse of Oct. 23rd will be visible from all of the United States except Hawaii and New England.  Coverage ranges from 12% in Florida to nearly 70% in Alaska.  Weather permitting, almost everyone in North America will be able to see the crescent.

The eclipse will be especially beautiful in eastern parts of the USA, where the Moon and sun line up at the end of the day, transforming the usual sunset into something weird and wonderful.

Observers in the Central Time zone have the best view because the eclipse is in its maximum phase at sunset..

They will see a fiery crescent sinking below the horizon, dimmed to human visibility by low-hanging clouds and mist.

Warning: Don’t stare. Even at maximum eclipse, a sliver of sun peeking out from behind the Moon can still cause pain and eye damage. Direct viewing should only be attempted with the aid of a safe solar filter.

Where to see the eclipse

Continents seeing at least a partial eclipse:

East in Asia
Much of North America
Pacific
Atlantic

Partial eclipse visible in:

Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.A.
Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.A.
Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
Sachs Harbour, Northwest Territories, Canada
Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
Kugluktuk, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Rae-Edzo, Northwest Territories, Canada
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Taloyoak, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Baker Lake, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Arviat, Nunavut Territory, Canada
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/solar/2014-october-23

Image credit: NASA